What’s the Latest with Flu Rates?

This year’s flu season has turned out to be the worst in the past 15 years. The demographic population most affected is, not surprisingly, the most vulnerable. Pediatric patients have crowded emergency rooms and filled hospital beds, prompting pediatricians to sound the alarm about vaccines and other preventive measures.

“I’m seeing children of all ages,” says Andrea Marie Assantes, M.D., a pediatrician at the University of Miami Health System. “We’re not done with the season and already hospitalizations are higher than last year.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified the seasons as “high severity,” and the figures on the agency’s website bear this out. In its most current Influenza Surveillance Report, 12 influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported in one week, for a total of 98 pediatric deaths this season.

What’s more, the rate of flu-related hospitalization for children jumped 145% in the first month of the year, according to a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

In fact, estimates reveal that kids make up one-third of all flu cases seen in emergency departments — the highest percentage among children reported since October 2023,

When you include all demographics, the CDC estimates that so far there have been at least 37 million cases of flu, 480,000 hospitalizations, and 21,000 deaths. Moreover, the most recent cumulative hospitalization rate is the highest since the 2010-2011 season. It’s the first time that influenza hospitalization cases have surpassed COVID-19 since the pandemic.

There’s a sliver of good news, however. Public health experts believe the season may have peaked. Cases appear to be trending downward, though as Dr. Assantes explains, “It is still significantly higher compared to last year.” For example, all 10 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regions are above their usual region-specific baselines for influenza cases.

While influenza viruses spread year-round, flu activity tends to peak between December and February. But in South Florida, Dr. Assantes has seen cases “well into summer.”

This season, an overwhelming number of her flu patients have tested positive for the Influenza A strain, with fewer cases attributed to the B strain.

The reason is unknown, but Dr. Assantes says that the former strain may be more contagious or simply circulating in greater numbers in our area. Either way, “in another couple of weeks, that may change,” she adds. Such is the fluidity of the situation.

 In addition, the effectiveness of this season’s vaccine may be lower than in previous years, particularly for the more virulent strains. Usually, the vaccine is about 50% effective each year. Despite this, the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report states that vaccinated kids were up to 60% less likely to have to see a doctor because of the flu and up to 78% less likely to be hospitalized.

While most people recover from a bout of chills, fever, cough, headaches and muscle aches, high-risk patients can experience serious complications, including pneumonia, organ failure, sepsis and renal problems.

Flu vaccines do not completely prevent you from catching the virus, but they significantly reduce the risk, symptoms, and duration of illness. If you do get exposed to influenza after vaccination, Dr. Assantes adds, “symptoms are usually milder, and the duration is shorter compared to unvaccinated individuals.”  Flu vaccine can also prevent death and serious complications such as hospitalization and death, especially in high-risk patients such as children, the elderly, and people with certain chronic medical conditions, she adds.

Individuals should always consult their personal physician for guidance.

Dr. Assantes recommends that people get a flu vaccine at the beginning of the season, in late September or early October. However, “it’s not too late to get it now. It will still make a difference. The South Florida season is longer.”

Parents, grandparents, and caregivers of infants should get vaccinated, she says. The flu vaccine is recommended for babies only after six months, so the child is particularly vulnerable to the virus during that critical time in infancy.

Though antibiotics don’t treat the flu, prescription antiviral medications can decrease the severity of the disease. They work best when taken within 48 hours after the start of symptoms. Otherwise, rest, taking over-the-counter fever and pain medications, drinking lots of fluid, and using a humidifier can help.

To prevent contracting the flu, Dr. Assantes cites CDC recommendations:

• Stay away from people who are sick. If you’re sick, stay home.
• Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands regularly.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Keep posted about outbreaks in your child’s school or in your workplace.
• Clean high-use surfaces, such as doorknobs, phones, counters and keyboards.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat your fruits, veggies and whole grains, get enough sleep, and exercise.

Ana Veciana-Suarez is a regular contributor to the University of Miami Health System. She is an acclaimed author and journalist who has worked at The Miami Herald, The Miami News, and The Palm Beach Post.

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Tags: Dr. Andrea Assantes, Emergency Room Visits for Flu, Flu Season Statistics, High-Risk Flu Complications